The Do’s and Don’ts of Incorporating Humor in Technical Writing

Technical writing can be a bit of a slog. Pages of dense content packed with jargon is hardly anyone’s idea of a fun read, you’d agree. So how do you sprinkle in a little humor without confusing or alienating your audience? Think no further, we’ve got the recipe for success with these do’s and don’ts!

Do: Know Your Audience

The key to any humor is understanding who you’re talking to. Are they software engineers who appreciate a good programming pun, or IT professionals who’ll chuckle at a well-placed analogy? Humor can humanize technical content, making it more relatable and easier to digest, but only if it resonates with the readers.

Pro Tip: Use jokes that align with your audience’s experience. A Python developer might enjoy a reference to “importing fun,” but a non-technical reader might just get lost. Keep it relevant!

Don’t: Overdo the Jokes

Humor is like salt—you need just enough to enhance the flavor, but too much can ruin the dish. If you turn every paragraph into a punchline, your reader might lose focus on the content that really matters. The goal is to lighten the load, not replace it with stand-up comedy.

Pro Tip: A well-placed, lighthearted quip in an otherwise serious explanation can break up the monotony, but remember: the focus should still be on clarity, not comedy.

Do: Use Humor to Simplify Concepts

Some technical concepts can feel like trying to explain quantum physics to a toddler. Humor, especially in the form of analogies or metaphors, can simplify complex ideas. For example, comparing an API to a restaurant menu (“You order a dish, the kitchen does all the work, and you get what you ordered without needing to know how to cook!”) makes the concept digestible without sacrificing accuracy.

Pro Tip: Analogies that are both humorous and accurate can transform a hard-to-grasp idea into something memorable. Make sure the humor serves the explanation, not distracts from it.

Don’t: Use Inside Jokes

Inside jokes may land well with a tight-knit team, but they can leave many readers scratching their heads. While it's tempting to drop references only a niche group would get, the goal of technical writing is inclusivity and clarity. Make sure the humor is accessible to your broader audience.

Pro Tip: If your humor needs a background story to be understood, it’s best left out.

Do: Keep It Light and Relevant

A small dash of humor can add character to otherwise dry technical manuals. A witty line or a pun that doesn’t overshadow the main content is a great way to keep readers engaged. Imagine a troubleshooting guide for a software tool with a section labeled “When Things Go South (And They Will).” It keeps things light while staying on point.

Pro Tip: Consider humor like seasoning—a little sprinkle can make a dense section feel less overwhelming, but it should never overpower the primary message.

Don’t: Use Sarcasm

Sarcasm in writing is tricky, especially in technical content. It’s too easy for readers to misinterpret or miss entirely, and it can come off as dismissive or condescending. Instructing users to “obviously press the button that does nothing” might seem funny to you, but it could confuse or frustrate someone who’s genuinely struggling to understand.

Pro Tip: Stick to straightforward, good-natured humor. Avoid anything that might come off as snarky or belittling.

Do: Humanize Technical Content

People tend to stay more engaged when they feel like they’re reading something written by a person, not a robot. Adding humor (in moderation) is a great way to show some personality and make the material feel more accessible. A troubleshooting guide with a touch of humor can make the user feel like they’re getting guidance from a friend, rather than an instruction manual.

Pro Tip: Inject humor naturally into your tone, but make sure it doesn’t undercut the expertise or accuracy of your content.

Final Thoughts: Lighten the Load Without Losing Focus

Humor, when used thoughtfully, can transform heavy technical content into something enjoyable and easier to digest. It’s not about making your readers laugh out loud—it’s about keeping them engaged and making complex topics feel a little more approachable.

At Deep Level, we specialize in balancing clarity with a relatable, engaging voice. If you’re tired of content that feels like a slog and want to lighten things up while still delivering value, let us take it from here. We’ll make sure your technical writing not only informs but connects.

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Because who says tech content can’t be both smart and fun?